Bridging Communities: Los Angeles 2014

About the Bridging Communities Program

Bridging Communities is a program for high school students that provides the opportunity for interfaith and cross-cultural dialogue, community service, and individual growth. The goal of the Bridging Communities Program is to create awareness, dialogue and ultimately activism from Japanese American and Muslim American youth through a series of interactive sessions including topics such as: identity, culture, religion, civil rights, community history, advocacy, and community service.

The Greater Los Angeles Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, in partnership with the Japanese American Citizens League – Pacific Southwest District, Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress, and Kizuna – Uniting Nikkei for the Future, are proud to present the 5th annual Bridging Communities Program. The program is funded by grant from the U.S. National Park Service (NPS).

The Bridging Communities program was established as a proactive response from JACL, NCRR and CAIR to a number of incidents of hate and intolerance incurred by the Muslim American community in the long aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Recognizing the similarities that Japanese Americans faced in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor ultimately resulting in Japanese American incarceration, Bridging Communities was meant to build solidarity and partnership between these two communities.

The Bridging Communities program offers an opportunity for our high school students to look at their own personal perceptions of identity and stereotypes and connect those to significant civil right issues that have affected Americans. In addition, our program also looks at ways in which communities have approached infringements of the past, like the Redress and Reparations movement in the Japanese American community,” explained CAIR Civil Rights Manager Affad Shaikh.

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Disclaimer: “This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Interior.”